Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kiwi Liam Lawson has taken more Formula 1 points with a seventh placing at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Qualifying 14th on the grid, Lawson took advantage of early casualties, as both McLarens – British world champion Lando Norris and Aussie Oscar Piastri – failed to make the start-line, along with Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto and Thai Alex Albon.

Pitting early, just before a safety car gifted his rivals a cheap stop, the Racing Bulls driver had to work his way back through the field, capitalising on three other withdrawals, including former Red Bull teammate and four-time champion Max Verstappen late in the journey.

Lawson also had the satisfaction of beating Frenchman Isack Hadjar (eighth), who was promoted into the Red Bull team ahead of him, and new Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad (12th).

The performance was the 11th top-10 finish of Lawson’s career – his best finish is a fifth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last September.

On Saturday, he finished seventh in the sprint race around the Shanghai International Circuit for his first competition points of the season, after finishing 13th at Melbourne last week.

Italian Kimi Antonelli celebrated the first win of his Formula 1 career, heading championship-leading teammate George Russell in a Mercedes one-two from pole position.

The 19-year-old Italian driver became the second-youngest race winner in the sport’s history, after Verstappen, who took his first victory with Red Bull at 18 in 2016.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finished a distant third, the seven-time world champion’s first podium since he joined Ferrari last year, with teammate Charles Leclerc fourth, after a lively battle between the two.

– RNZ/Reuters

More to come

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand have lost by seven wickets to the visitors in the first of five T20 matches at Mt Maunganui.

The Black Caps were only able to post a total of 91 after batting first, with South Africa winning with 20 balls remaining.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Blues didn’t engage in the war of words, but they were merciless when it came to battle.

The Blues battered their cross-city rivals to reclaim 09 bragging rights, with an emphatic 43-7 victory in Auckland on Sunday afternoon.

Despite the one-sided scoreline and apparent one-sided feud, Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga stands by his scathing assessment of the franchise.

“I don’t know why we wouldn’t stand by those when it’s what’s actually happening,” he said. “Because we lost, it doesn’t detract from the fact that was the facts.”

The former All Blacks captain let loose on the Blues earlier in the week, stating they didn’t want Moana Pasifika in Auckland, and alleging they even tried to block them from playing in Northland and South Auckland.

Blues coach Vern Cotter has not responded directly to Umaga’s comments.

“That’s outside, today was just a game,” he said. “It was about the players on the paddock.

“We have a massive amount of respect for them as a team, we will take this win and just move forward.”

Blues skipper Dalton Papali’i concurred with his coach.

“Tana was a Blues man once, and I have a lot of respect for him and his players. Whatever happens up in the offices, that’s none of my concern.”

Umaga also questioned the officiating during his side’s loss, after Moana saw two tries disallowed, which would have seen them take a half-time lead.

The first saw Lalomilo Lalomilo ruled offside from a lineout, while the second was scrubbed, after interference at the scrum.

“Some pretty tough calls in general, we’ll have another look at those,” Umaga said. “There’s a bit of contention whether he was off the scrum and initiated the contact, and the one coming off the lineout, that was a tough one.”

Umaga felt the decisions were a microcosm of greater issues in Super Rugby Pacific.

“We probably have to ask ourselves the question, as a game, are we looking for reasons not to score tries? What kind of game do we want to have?”

Umaga feared over-adjudication would frustrate audiences.

“We can’t be complacent in rugby in this country,” he said. “We’ve got to do all we can to make sure the product we are putting out there is something people want to see.”

One call Umaga did not take issue with was the red card issued to halfback Augustine Pulu for his swinging arm on opposite Sam Nock.

“That did harm us, to play half an hour with 14 players, but when we had 14 men, we seemed to have a lot more urgency.”

While Moana Pasifika took confidence into the sheds at halftime – trailing by just eight – discipline continued to plague them and they were penalised right from the restart.

“We couldn’t build any positive moments,” Umaga said. “It was hard to change momentum around.”

Umaga will likely have plenty to take his mind off his beef with the Blues, confirming New Zealand Rugby had approached him about joining Dave Rennie’s All Blacks coaching group.

“I’ll figure those out after today.”

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

They didn’t engage in the war of words, but the Blues were merciless when it came to battle.

The Blues battered their cross-city rivals to reclaim 09 bragging rights, with an emphatic 43-7 victory in Auckland this afternoon.

Despite the one-sided scoreline, and apparent one-sided feud, Moana coach Tana Umaga stands by his scathing assessment of the franchise.

“I don’t know why we wouldn’t stand by those when it’s what’s actually happening. Because we lost, it doesn’t detract from the fact, that was the facts.”

The former All Black captain let loose on the Blues earlier in the week, stating that the Blues didn’t want Moana in Auckland, and alleging they even tried to block them from playing in Northland and South Auckland.

Blues coach Vern Cotter has not responded directly to Umaga’s comments.

“That’s outside, today was just a game, it was about the players on the paddock. We have a massive amount of respect for them as a team, we will take this win and just move forward.”

Blues skipper Dalton Papali’i concurred with his coach.

“Tana was a Blues man once. I have a lot of respect for him and his players, whatever happens up in the offices, that’s none of my concern.”

Umaga also questioned the officiating during his side’s loss after Moana saw two tries disallowed, which would have seen them take a half-time lead.

The first saw Lalomilo Lalomilo ruled offside from a lineout, while the second was scrubbed after interference at the scrum.

“Some pretty tough calls in general, we’ll have another ok at those. There’s a bit of contention whether he was off the scrum and initiated the contact, and the one coming off the lineout, that was a tough one.”

Umaga felt the decisions were a microcosm of greater issues in Super Rugby.

“We probably have to ask ourselves the question as a game, are we looking for reasons not to score tries? What kind of game do we want to have?”

Umaga feared over-adjudication would frustrate audiences.

“We can’t be complacent in rugby in this country, we’ve got to do all we can to make sure the product we are putting out there is something people want to see.”

One call which Umaga did not take issue with was the red card issued to Augustine Pulu for his swinging arm on Sam Nock.

“That did harm us, to play half an hour with 14 players, but when we had 14 men we seemed to have a lot more urgency.”

While Moana took confidence into the sheds at halftime – trailing by just eight – discipline continued to plague them, penalised right from the restart.

“We couldn’t build any positive moments, it was hard to change momentum around.”

Umaga will likely have plenty to take his mind off his beef with the Blues, confirming New Zealand Rugby has approached him about joining Dave Rennie’s All Blacks coaching group.

“I’ll figure those out after today.”

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Black Caps return home from their World Cup heartbreak in India to host South Africa in a five-match T20 series at Mt Maunganui.

Top order batters Katene Clarke and Nick Kelly are in line to make their T20 debuts during the series, as is Central Districts spinner Jayden Lennox.

First ball is at 7.15pm

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Standout Silver Fern Kate Heffernan has wasted no time making her mark on Australian Super Netball, showcasing her skills against the world’s best.

Heffernan made a spectacular debut in the opening round for premiership favourites Adelaide Thunderbirds, helping her newlook side to a record-breaking 20-goal win against New South Wales Swifts.

Wearing the centre bib, Heffernan was a key playmaker for the home side in their 74-54 demolition at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

The former Southern Steel stalwart pulled in three intercepts and nailed 14 goal assists against last year’s preliminary finalists.

Another new recruit who led the onslaught for Adelaide was South African shooter Elmere van der Berg, who finished with a club-record 59 goals in just 53 minutes of game-time.

Heffernan, who brushed aside any pre-game nerves, admitted her team wasn’t getting carried away with the one-sided win.

“We’re stoked with that performance, to come out like that and put the foot down in the second half,” she said. “It’s just exciting times and a lot of exciting things to come, I think, for the Thunderbirds.”

Adelaide led by five goals at half-time, before outscoring the Swifts by 11 goals in the third quarter. The Kiwi matched up against versatile Swifts midcourter Tayla Fraser in the opening quarter, before Fraser was subbed for former Australian Diamond Maddy Proud.

The New South Wales coach re-introduced Fraser to mark Heffernan in the last quarter.

Heffernan conceded the pace of the game was incredibly fast and the tight one-on-one marking was tiring.

“Definitely feeling that man-on-man style, I’ve got someone tagging me at all times, which is different to a bit more space in New Zealand,” she said.

“I feel like Tania [Adelaide coach Tania Obst] and the girls have prepared me and the newbies really well.”

“It certainly felt different, but I feel like we’re settling in pretty well.”

Also sharing the same court was Silver Fern Grace Nweke, who scored 40 goals from 43 attempts for the Swifts.

Fellow NSW player and former Silver Fern Gina Crampton made 10 goal assists at wing attack in her professional return, following the birth of her first child.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Blues head into their fixture against Moana Pasifika at Eden Park buoyed by a rare win over Super Rugby rivals Crusaders last week.

Meanwhile, Moana sit bottom of the table with just one win from their opening four fixtures.

Kickoff is at 3.35pm.

Blues:

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi. 2. Kurt Eklund. 3. Marcel Renata. 4. Josh Beehre. 5. Sam Darry. 6. Anton Segner. 7. Dalton Papali’i, who will captain the side. 8. Hoskins Sotutu. 9. Sam Nock. 10. Beauden Barrett. 11. Caleb Clarke. 12. Xavi Taele. 13. AJ Lam. 14. Codemeru Vai. 15. Cole Forbes.

Bench: 16. James Mullan. 17. Mason Tupaea. 18. Sam Matenga. 19. Laghlan McWhannell. 20. Malachi Wrampling, on debut. 21. Taufa Funaki. 22. Pita Ahki. 23. Zarn Sullivan.

Moana:

1. Tito Tuipulotu. 2. Millennium Sanerivi. 3. Atu Moli, on debut. 4. Tom Savage. 5. Allan Craig. 6. Miracle Faiilagi, who will captain the side. 7. Semisi Paea. 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. 9. Augustine Pulu. 10. Patrick Pellegrini. 11. Glen Vaihu. 12. Lalomilo Lalomilo. 13. Tevita Latu. 14. Tevita Ofa. 15. William Havili.

Bench: 16. Mamoru Harada. 17. Monu Moli. 18. Lolani Faleiva. 19. Veikoso Poloniati. 20. Dominic Ropeti. 21. Joel Lam. 22. Ngani Laumape. 23. Tuna Tuitama.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The White Ferns play South Africa in the first of five T20 internationals at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

The two sides will then play three one-day matches as part of South Africa’s whiteball tour of New Zealand.

Former captain Sophie Devine and veteran batter Suzie Bates return to the White Ferns squad for the T20 series.

First ball is at 2.45pm.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The struggles have continued for the Tall Ferns at the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, going down to African nation, Senegal, in their latest match 61-45.

New Zealand only lead on one occasion, and that was when Bec Pizzey nailed a lay-up to score the opening points of the contest.

And while Senegal couldn’t convert their scoring opportunities in the first two and half minutes, once Victorine Thiaw dropped a step-back three-pointer, Senegal were never headed for the rest of the game.

By the end of the first quarter, Senegal had stretched their lead to four points (14-10), and then to five (29-24) at halftime.

But it was in the third quarter where they really moved clear, outscoring New Zealand 23-9, to head into the final quarter 52-33 ahead.

And while the Tall Ferns managed to win the final quarter by three points, it was still a decisive win for Senegal, who had two players hitting double figures, Yacine Diop (13) and Saokhna Ndiaye (10).

Ella Toefaeono ended top scorer for New Zealand with 10 points, while she also contributed three assists and two blocks.

Pizzey finished with nine points and five rebounds, with Tegan Graham securing the same numbers.

Emme Shearer was the Tall Ferns leading rebounder with seven.

But overall, New Zealand shot the ball at just 27%, while conceding 18 turnovers.

The tournament’s been a tough challenge for the Natalie Hurst coached team, with earlier defeats to Italy, 74-51, and Spain 99-50.

New Zealand plays the USA tomorrow (7am NZT) in their next match, and then the host nation in their final group match on Wednesday.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland sprinter Lex Revell-Lewis has shaved one-hundredth of a second off his own national 400 metres record at the Adelaide Invitational.

Ideally drawn in lane six, with two faster opponents outside him, he was paced around the lap of the track in a time of 45.87s, finishing second behind Australian Luke van Ratingen (45.21s).

Last year, Revell-Lewis became the first Kiwi man to break 46 seconds for 400 metres, when he ran 45.88s in Melbourne.

Last week, he dipped under that barrier again, when he defended his national at Auckland in 45.97s, winning by more than a second. That performance earnt him a ticket to this months world indoor championships in Poland.

Earlier in the Adelaide meet, NZ javelin exponent Tori Moorby won her specialist event in 58.69m. Nick Southgate equalled his season best with 5.35m for second in the pole vault.

Sprinter Tommy Te Puni won the ‘B’ 100 metres final in 10.43s with a slight tailwind, before finishing third over 200 metres in 20.68s.

James Preston clocked 1m 45.07s to finish third over 800 metres and qualify for the world indoors, but New Zealand has already filled its quota of two in that event, with James Harding and Thomas Cowan both competing for US colleges.

Representing University of Oregon, Harding will contest the NCAA championship final this weekend.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand